Radiant Orchid: The Color of 2014

Pantone has been the authority on colors in consumer trends for years and they have announced the color of 2014–it’s radiant orchid!

What is radiant orchid you may ask? According to Pantone, the color is a captivating, magical and enigmatic shade of purple. As consumers we will be seeing this color everywhere in 2014. Last year’s color was Emerald and we’ve seen it appear heavily in fashion, home electronics and appliances. So, from lipsticks to leather upholstery, get ready for Orchid!

Pantone makes its annual pick by surveying fashion executives as well as trends in travel, music, movies and even technology to deduce the coming year’s big color. Pantone says, “Radiant Orchid blooms with confidence and magical warmth that intrigues the eye and sparks the imagination. It is an expressive, creative and embracing purple—one that draws you in with its beguiling charm. A captivating harmony of fuchsia, purple and pink undertones, Radiant Orchid emanates great joy, love and health.”

Sounds great to me!

For decades it has been a fashion industry tactic to market new shades to the public, we have seen avocado green, orange and brown prevalently preserved via our mothers photographs from the 70s. In the eighties it was neon and then later purple and green. My favorite shirt was a purple and green floral from Laura Ashley, and my mom papered my bedroom in those shades too. These yearly color trend releases may very well be a ploy to get consumers out and buying the newest hottest colors, but let’s face it. It’s fun and exciting, and you bet, I’ll be embracing Radiant Orchid!